Motherhood... a year later

  The other day, I turned to my husband and exclaimed, "Hey, we made it a year with Eli and he is still alive." Apparently, we are doing something right! He is thriving. We had a rough start, as I think many new parents do. We had to get used to being in charge of a little baby. We had to get used to striving on little sleep, crying, and not eating warm food. We had to put aside our selfish desires to raise our little man. No more going to a movie on a whim(not to mention, I am too exhausted to stay awake for a movie!). But it's all worth it. He really has us by our pinkies. I lay him down for the night after an exhausting night of crying, only to want to scoop him up 15 minutes later for kisses. He looks at you and melts your heart. His snuggles warms your soul. His future gives you hope.
    Travis and I have really grown as parents and as a couple. We have had to really rely on each other. While Travis was taking classes, I had to pick up the slack. When I broke my elbow, vice versa. I am so glad I have Travis to go on this new journey on. I watch him with Eli and it absolutely puts a smile on my face. He loves Eli and is a great father. So much love. We have grown so much together from parenting together. I love him and thank God for him everyday!
      I made it a year of breastfeeding! Wahoo! After the struggle we had, I consider this a victory! I am so proud. I remember crying because he won't latch well and now here we are a year later. Thank you to all my friends and family that encouraged me. I'm so glad I did it. We are going to continue until one of us is ready to wean. I love that time with him. I nurse on demand. He gets breast milk in a straw cup for lunch and dinner. He is so sweet. I taught him the sign for milk and he does it for breastfeeding, but also for food, snack, drink, ect. Silly boy!
   What have I learned about mommy hood in a year? Don't sweat the small stuff. I promise they will sleep through the night at some point. You don't have time to search and read tons of books, don't buy them. I mostly relied on friends and family for help/advice. Breastfeed if you can, it's amazing and great for the baby! Ask for help when you need it. Don't obsess over milestones, they will get there on their own time table. SLEEP when the baby does, even if your "baby" is a year old! Just accept gifts, even if your living room turns into a playroom. Don't bother picking up the toys every two hours, or you are going to be very frustrated. Take time to play with your child. Drop work/cleaning/ect and sit on the floor and play. God entrusted you with a wonderful miracle and they grow too fast. Enjoy every minute of this time, because you'll blink and they will be graduating.

12 Months.... 1 Year

       This past week, little Elijah turned 1 year old! He is not a baby. I may or may not have cried over him growing up so big. I do realize that he HAS to grow up, but I just wish it wasn't so fast. This year has gone too fast. I feel like it was just yesterday I was anticipating his birth, waiting in the hospital, and feeling him move in my belly. I remember his squishy little body that I could hold easily, now he is much bigger and much squirmier. He has grown so much, not only in stature, but intellectually. He is sooo smart and amazes me everyday with what he learns.
     His birthday was great! All his cousins came to his birthday! The theme was farm animals, since he is kinda obsessed with animals. He loves animals sooo much! His first official word was "cat," besides Mama and Dada. He had a blast swimming for the first time in his grandma's pool. He loved his cupcake and watermelon. He really enjoyed spending time with his cousins!
   His doctor's appointment went well! He is 22 lbs and 6 ozs. He is 31.5 inches tall. He had blood withdrawn to check for iron levels. He also had 3 vaccine shots. Poor baby! Fingers crossed he doesn't get a fever or chickenpox(that happened to my niece)! I'm super hoping he does well as we are driving to my sister's house in a couple days. I asked about his lip-tie causing a gap in his teeth and apparently it's suppose to either close on its own or in the future we will get it clipped. Also, we are suppose to keep an eye on his wheezing to see if it's related to allergies. That was the pediatrician's guess. Overall, he is doing well! :)

12 month leaps and bounds:

• He is officially walking! He can walk really far, even if he falls a couple times! 
• He is smart. He will accidentally drop a toy near something he isn't suppose to play with, so he has a reason for it.
• He eats everything! He loves fruits and veggies!
• He can say "cat," "Jack," "yes," and "da"(for dog).
• He makes the milk sign for milk/drink/food.
• He has an uncanny ability to find any cellphone in his range(he is obsessed).
• He can start to sort his shapes into their holes.
• He loves his water-table.
• He likes to poke people's and animal's eyes. I hope this is a phase he'll grow out of soon!
• He tries to color.
• He responds to "no" when he wants too!
• He is starting to use a spoon and fork.
• He has 5 teeth, 3 on bottom and 2 on top!

Here are some pictures: